A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, and a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.

As one of the UK’s leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career. The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference in people's lives.  

We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University; it’s also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community.

Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential. 

Our Purpose and Values

We want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate differences, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page

The Department

Founded in 1952, the Department of Psychology is consistently ranked as one of the very best in the UK, with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and student employability. The department is committed to creating and maintaining a research environment that spans the entire breadth of psychology. Currently the department’s research falls within three groupings: Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental Science, and Quantitative Social Psychology.

The department is extremely well-equipped for research, including facilities for fMRI, TMS, tDCS, EEG/ERP, VR, eye movement tracking, and biophysiological recording. The department also has a motion capture lab for analysis of visuomotor action and experiments in immersive VR, a ‘bar’ lab for naturalistic studies in health psychology, and setups for psychophysics, including an echo-attenuated chamber.

In 2022, the Department received its third Athena SWAN Silver Award, recognising our commitment to advancing women's careers in STEM academia and reflecting the supportive and positive environment within the Department.

The successful candidate will join the vibrant Developmental Psychology Group and the Durham Cultural Evolution Research Centre, which host regular meetings and activities, as well as have the opportunity to join a host of exciting inter-disciplinary networks in the University, such as those supporting early career researchers. The successful candidate will gain opportunities to learn about different research methodologies and technologies utilised by the faculty in the department and adopt best practices to ensure transparency, reproducibility, and replicability.

The Role

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in cultural evolutionary modelling with a particular emphasis on examining the unique contributions of children to processes of culture change. This position is part of a larger European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant, Children as Agents of Cultural Evolution—ChACE, led by Dr Sheina Lew-Levy (Durham University) along with a wider international collaboration team. The project aims to investigate whether (1) Peer cultures evidence distinct cultural evolutionary mechanisms from adult cultures and (2) Knowledge produced as part of peer cultures helps communities adapt to social and ecological change. The successful applicant will be based in Durham (UK) and will be responsible for producing cultural evolutionary agent-based models, which will then be tested against empirical data collected in diverse field sites using Approximate Bayesian Computation. The successful applicant will be supervised by the PI (Sheina Lew-Levy) an advisor Jeremy Kendal (Durham University).

ChACE will eventually integrate PhD students, Masters students, and RAs, who will work at local and international field sites to collect data against which the agent-based models will be tested. The project is thus ideally suited for someone who is organized, detail-oriented, and who is excited about working as part of an interdisciplinary team.

The successful candidate will have a strong academic track record, including experience in designing, carrying out, analysing, and interpreting agent-based models and Approximate Bayesian Computation. Experience with any of the following topics and approaches will be a strong advantage

•  Cultural evolution
•  Individual/agent-based models
•   Approximate Bayesian Computation
•   Experimental/observational design
•  Anthropological/developmental research on childhood
•  Integrating theoretical and empirical research methods
•  Teamwork and team management
•   Strong scientific and public communication skills

However, we do not necessarily expect candidates to have experience in all of these, and we can provide training as needed for those who are unfamiliar. You will report to Dr. Sheina Lew-Levy as the PI on the grant. You will also be supported by Jeremy Kendal as an advisor on the grant.

Key responsibilities:

• To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that lead to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences, which may include research sponsors and academic and non-academic audiences.
• To publish high-quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer-reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To plan and manage own research activity and research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
• To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To design, carry out, analyse, and interpret individual/agent-based models and Approximate Bayesian Computation

This post is fixed term for 35 months due to the length of funding available.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by June and September 2025, however alternative start dates can be discussed.

Working at Durham 

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: 

•    30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.   •    The University closes between Christmas and New Year – please include or delete if not applicable.  • We offer a generous pension scheme; as a new member of staff, you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS). •    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle-to-work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discounts with local bus and train companies. •    There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career at the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.  • Lots of support for health and wellbeing, including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. • On-site nursery is available, plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16. •    Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). •    The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community • Discounts are available via our benefits portal, including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.  •    A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.  •    If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our Purpose and Values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all colleagues undertake activities that are aligned with both our values and commitment to EDI. 

We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our workforce, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups.

If you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted the volume and recency of your research outputs and other activities, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application. The selection committee will take this into account when evaluating your application.

The University has been awarded the Disability Confident Employer status. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so, and where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their roles. 

Person Specification 

Essential Criteria:

Qualifications

• A good first degree in psychology, anthropology, biology, linguistics, education, mathematics, physics or a related subject.
• A PhD (or be close to submission) in psychology, anthropology, biology, linguistics, education, mathematics, physics or a related subject.

Experience

• Experience in conducting high-quality academic research in the field of cultural evolution.
• Experience in individual/agent-based computational modelling.
• Knowledge of and/or demonstrable ability to learn Approximate Bayesian Computation.
• Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.
• Demonstrable ability to present research papers at national/international conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.

Skills

• Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.
• Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Desirable Criteria

Experience

• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with the stage of my career.
• A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings commensurate with the stage of career.
• Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics.
• Experience in overseeing students with respect to the development of their practical/research skills, e.g. acting as a demonstrator and supervising student projects/practicals.
• Experience conducting Approximate Bayesian Computation
• Knowledge of anthropological/developmental research on childhood
• Experience in experimental and observational data collection

Skills

• Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research. 

How to Apply  

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at the interview.  

Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online.   We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What to Submit 

All applicants are asked to submit:

•  A cover letter (max 2 A4 pages) which details your experience, strengths and potential in the requirements set out above;
•  A CV which details your experience, strengths and potential in the requirements set out above;
•  Please include copies of up to three relevant journal publications you would like to highlight that cannot be found online (e.g., submitted / under r   revision / accepted).

Contact Information 

Department Contact for academic-related enquiries 

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Sheina Lew-Levy (Sheina.lew-levy@durham.ac.uk). All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application 

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email.  Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk 

Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00, Monday to Friday, UK time.  We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).  

University contact for general queries about the recruitment process 

Next Steps 

Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department. The assessment for the post will normally include an interview, and we anticipate that the assessments and interviews will take place over two days in or around mid-March.

In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date. 

Please note that in submitting your application, Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University, which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.   

When appointing to this role, the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds, which are applicable to some visas.